Matchroom Sport announces 888casino as Title Sponsor for snooker's Champion of Champions

888 Holdings plc and Matchroom Sport have entered into a Title sponsorship agreement between 888casino and snooker's biggest new tournament, the Champion of Champions.

Televised live throughout on ITV4, the tournament features sixteen champions of the previous season competing for a £270,000 prize fund, including £100,000 for the eventual winner.

Stars such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson will all be invited to take part in a new format that features four mini tournaments comprising four players each, followed by big money semi-finals and then the final over the best of nineteen frames.

Barry Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, said: "We are very excited to have 888casino on board as title sponsor of a brand new tournament on the snooker calendar. 888 have been involved with snooker previously and I'm thrilled that they are continuing their association with the sport in such an innovative new event.

"The Champion of Champions is an elite competition featuring winners of all the major tournaments throughout the season and we are looking to establish it as a regular 'best of the best' and with unprecedented live coverage on terrestrial UK television, the 888casino Champion of Champions will be bringing snooker of the highest quality to a potentially huge audience, both domestically and around the world".

Itai Pazner, Senior Vice President of 888.com, commented: "888 is excited to have the opportunity to continue our support and investment in snooker. Matching up our leading casino brand, 888casino, with such a prestigious snooker event is a perfect fit for the brand and more importantly our customers. We look forward to utilizing the access and exposure as title sponsor of the 888casino Champion of Champions as an extension of the entertainment experience 888casino provides every day".

The 888casino Champion of Champions will be broadcast live throughout on ITV4 for a minimum forty-eight hours. In addition, it will also be screened live on CCTV in China.